Taking Care Of Our Students
I’m feeling encouraged. Even in the midst of the stress of the shutdown and then the acceleration of the opening up, I am feeling good about lots of things. I’m thankful for all the terrific conversations I’ve had the privilege to have lately.
The Marching Roundtable is offering a 20 podcast series in July with all of the corps participating in the DCI Celebration this summer. We’re releasing these as audio podcasts and also video interviews. You can find all the videos here. These conversations have all been inspiring!
After a year off, there are many emotional storylines from these groups as they get back together and try to put shows on the field in a shortened format. However, every single interview has included a moment where the representative of the corps has mentioned how diligently everyone is working to take care of their members.
In normal competitive times, it can be easy for directors and instructors to fall under the sway of contest preparation. We want our group to be successful, and this can lead to thinking more about the contest and the judge than the students. With the slow down and shutdown of the past year, one silver lining has been the opportunity to stop and think about what’s really important. Many band directors have shared with me how they have been reminded of the real reason they got into teaching in the first place: their love of music, their passion to help students learn and grow, the relationships they create.
I can tell you without a doubt that the designers and educators working with drum corps this summer have been thoughtful and have the member experience at the top of their list. So many have mentioned how aware they are that students suffered without the activity last year, and that many are going to have their last marching experience this summer. So no matter how the season may be different, they are all determined to give every member a first class experience.
This has me feeling encouraged. I love this!
I recently had a webinar conversation with Jarrett Lipman of Claudia Taylor Johnson HS. He was somehow able to have a marching season and even compete (and win!) at the state level in Texas. Of course, every community was in a different situation this Fall and his program was able to safely do this. Although I was skeptical going into the conversation, I ended up very inspired by the context of his entire season, with “taking care of students” and keeping them safe at the top of his list. I hope you’ll take time to listen to that webinar conversation HERE to hear the philosophy that he and his staff used. They knew that the season could be shut down at any moment, so they constantly reminded everyone to be in the moment, enjoy and appreciate what they would do that day, and keep expectations reasonable. WATCH HERE
As we go into the drum corps season, and especially into Fall Marching Band, I hope everyone will keep this at the front of their thoughts. Our main job is to help students feel safe and welcome, to ease them back into social situations, and get them used to being together again. This is going to be work! We will need to be diligent and work to keep expectations low. Competitive results and the amount of show we learn must take a back seat to caring for our students and helping them adjust back to being together. Many students have had a traumatic experience and they need our care and attention.
Plus, when we watch shows this summer or this Fall, let’s remember that every group has been dealing with their own situation and any group showing up to perform in ANY way deserves our respect and support. A “Season of Grace” will be needed this Fall. (Watch a webinar about “Season of Grace” HERE and a podcast HERE and HERE.)
I can’t wait to be in Indy and cheer and clap like crazy for every single student who marches out onto the field. Let’s all do our part by showing up for shows, buying merchandise from our favorite groups, making donations, volunteering, and reminding each other of the things that are really important this year.
Photo courtesy of the Madison Scouts
Find Forward Leadership Student Curriculum from Madison Scouts HERE
Tim Hinton
July 2, 2021
